Anticipation that equaled that of waiting to open presents on Christmas morning was easily visible on the faces and in the pre-show chatter of Arkansas River Valley residents who attended Friday night’s first Edens Edge concert in the area since the talented trio moved to Music City five years ago.

Before the show, several lucky guests had the opportunity to meet the band and have pictures taken.

Scott Loving of New Blaine surprised his wife, Michelle, Friday night with the news that he won the opportunity to attend the meet and greet.

“He just told me he needed to get here early to pick up the vouchers for the free song downloads,” Michelle Loving said. “It wasn’t until we came in that he told me we were going to meet the band. I was shocked and thrilled. We’re big fans.”

For an added surprise, Conway native Kris Allen opened for the band and good friend Hannah Blaylock.

The Center for Performing Arts on the campus of Russellville High School roared with applause and shouts as Allen took the stage. After one song, a guest shouted that she loved Allen and voted for him every week while he was on American Idol.

Allen sang three Christmas carols, “Live Like We’re Dying” and a beautiful Christmas duet with Blaylock. The song was written by Blaylock’s talented singer/songwriter brother Wesley, with another artist.

After Allen departed and said he would be back at the Center for the Arts in April for his own concert, there was a brief intermission before Edens Edge took the stage.

One 8-year-old fan, Audrey Roys, was especially excited to not only attend the concert, but sit front-row center.

“Cherrill (Green) was Audrey’s daycare teacher,” Audrey’s mother, Denise, said of her daughter’s excitement about attending the show. “It’s great to have the opportunity to bring her here so she can see Cherrill perform at an actual concert.

“I love that we have the new Center that accommodates these types of shows and are family-friendly and affordable. I hope we have more shows like this in the future.”

The intermission after Allen performed was brief, but for some it was too lengthy and the audience began to chant for the band to begin.

Everyone was ready for the show. Then the band delivered in a big way.

Song after song, the audience listened, joined in and watched almost mesmerized by the talent of the three local musicians.

On stage, the chemistry and intensity was electric, but in the audience, instead of the lively and sometimes raucous behavior displayed by many concert-goers, there was a calmness and almost quiet.

The calm was occasionally broken and included laughter, especially after guitar player Dean Berner’s brothers, Keith and Gary, yelled “Dean Berner has sexy legs,” which was a long standing tradition when Dean played soccer for the Russellville Cyclones.

Mandolin player Green’s mom held a large sign in support of her daughter at one point that also brought cheers and laughs.

The entire night included behind-the-scenes information about how the different songs came to be and how growing up in the Arkansas River Valley influenced their lives and shines through their music.

The audience clapped and cheered after each song, and no one was ready for the band to stop.

After a standing ovation, the trio ended the night with their traditional closing song “Christ Alone,” written by Russellville resident Steve Smith.

The song was sung acappella and brought a tear to many eyes, including Smith’s.

After the show, the trio patiently signed autographs on CDs, pictures, ticket stub, copies of The Courier’s RVL magazine that featured Edens Edge on the cover, guitars and whatever else fans brought to the table, including a former daycare picture for Green to sign.

During the show and after, each band member thanked the entire River Valley for its support throughout the years.

“The three of us are just overwhelmed with love from the heartfelt support shown us tonight and throughout our careers,” Green said after the show. “Coming here is definitely a homecoming for us and a great way to spend Christmas.”

Heather Sprinkle is a freelance journalist and former reporter for The Courier.